Single arm support apparatus for a rockwheel

ABSTRACT

A single arm support apparatus for a rockwheel for excavating a trench through difficult materials, including rock. The rock cutting attachment includes a frame assembly which supports a cutting wheel in a manner that permits it to be inserted into the ground to approximately the radius of the wheel. The cutting wheel mounts to a shaft that is supported by bearings on a single side of the wheel, and is rotationally driven by a hydraulic motor. Additional structure mounted on the frame provides depth control.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

[0003] Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] 1. Field of the Invention

[0005] The present invention relates generally to excavation machines.Specifically, the present invention relates to a single arm supportapparatus for a rockwheel.

[0006] 2. Description of Related Art

[0007] As can be seen by reference to the following U.S. Pat. Nos.2,420,836; 4,553,522; 4,762,371; 5,203,615; and 5,657,803, the prior artis replete with myriad and diverse single arm support apparatus for arockwheel.

[0008] While all of the aforementioned prior art constructions are morethan adequate for the basic purpose and function for which they havebeen specifically designed, they are uniformly deficient with respect totheir failure to provide a simple, efficient and practical single armsupport apparatus for a rockwheel.

[0009] As a consequence of the foregoing situation, there has existed alongstanding need for a new and improved single arm support apparatusfor a rockwheel, and the provision of such a construction is a statedobjective of the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention relates to a single arm support apparatusfor a rockwheel which is utilized to excavate material and form an opentrench, typically in soil conditions ranging from hard compactedabrasive soils, to loose soils with a significant percentage of stones,to solid stone or concrete. This trench is formed by hard, cutting teethmounted on the outer circumference of a relatively thin disc/wheel thatis rotated with sufficient torque to propel the teeth through thematerial being cut. At the same time it is forced down into engagementwith the ground so that the lowest portion of the wheel defines thebottom of the trench. The wheel is propelled along the ground surface toextend formation of the trench the desired length and profile.

[0011] The desired trench is typically being formed to allowinstallation of water lines, gas lines, or electrical lines of varioustypes and thus the width of the trench is typically much less than thedesired depth of the trench. The maximum depth is typicallyapproximately equal to the radius of the wheel.

[0012] The critical capabilities of the apparatus include:

[0013] 1. ability to set and maintain the desired trench depth;

[0014] 2. ability to achieve sufficient torque and speed to excavate atan acceptable rate; and

[0015] 3. ability to withstand the substantial loads inherent to theapplication of inserting a relatively thin wheel into the ground forminga trench in hard compacted soil or rock.

[0016] Machines providing these capabilities have been available forseveral years. Machines of this sort manufactured and sold by VermeerMfg. Co. typically comprise a prime mover of various sorts, includingtrack mounted or rubber tired vehicles equipped with what is known as arock cutter or rock wheel attachment. They have been marketed by Vermeeras RW6540, RW4147, RW5536, RW6540, RW7548, RW8536, RW8540, RW8554,RW855. The attachment is comprised of:

[0017] 1. a welded frame designed to couple to the prime mover andsupport rotary mounts for the wheel on both sides;

[0018] 2. one rotary mount typically being a hydraulic motor or gearbox;

[0019] 3. the other rotary mount being a bearing;

[0020] 4. the wheel with cutting teeth;

[0021] 5. a shaft or rotary support member passing from one rotarysupport to the next;

[0022] 6. shielding to direct the cuttings and shield moving components;

[0023] 7. hydraulic system to raise and lower the attachment; and

[0024] 8. stabilizers on both the left and right side to control thelowered position of the attachment to allow control of the depth of thetrench.

[0025] The significant forces inherent in this application have alwaysrequired a design as this including support on both sides of the wheel.There are inherent difficulties associated with these attachmentsrelated to this need to support the wheel on both sides including:

[0026] 1. difficulties in manufacturing the frame in a manner to assureproper alignment of the rotary mounts for the wheel;

[0027] 2. difficulties in assembling the wheels to the frame associatedwith the rotary mounts on both sides; and

[0028] 3. difficulties in maintenance if the wheel needs to be removed,in that at least one rotary mount needs to be removed.

[0029] The mounting of rotating discs/wheels has been accomplished in avariety of manners. Examples of various mounts can be seen in U.S. Pat.No. 2,420,836 to Nelson; U.S. Pat. No. 4,553,622 to De Cortanze; U.S.Pat. No. 5,657,803 to Kappel; U.S. Pat. No. 4,762,371 to Lupton; andU.S. Pat. No. 4,230,372 to Marten.

[0030] In the patent to Nelson a thin disc, saw blade, is mounted to ashaft that is supported on bearings on a single side of the disc. Thisapplication includes high rotational speed of the disc and relativelylow forces being applied to the cutting disc, forces required for properfunction of the saw blade.

[0031] The patent to DeCortanze discloses a driving wheel for amotorcycle is mounted on a shaft again supported on bearings on a singleside of the wheel. Here again the application includes relatively highrotational speeds and relatively low forces as the force is limited bythe coefficient of friction between the tire and the road surface.

[0032] The patent to Kappel discloses a cutting wheel of a stump cutterthat is mounted on a shaft of a gearbox again supported by the bearingsof the gearbox on a single side of the wheel. This application involvesrelatively high speeds, with a relatively small outer diameter wheel.

[0033] The patent to Lupton discloses a cutting wheel, a road planar,that is mounted on a shaft that is supported on both sides of the wheel.This application subjects the frame to forces required to cut pavementwith cutting teeth mounted on the circumference of a wheel. This designwill have similar difficulties as described as inherent with the rockwheel attachments.

[0034] The patent to Marten discloses a pair of excavating wheelsmounted to a single shaft and utilized to excavate in a manner similarto the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0035] The present invention relates generally to a trencher having aprime mover and a rock cutting attachment for excavating a trenchthrough difficult materials including rock. The rock cutting attachmentincludes a frame assembly which supports a cutting wheel in a mannerthat permits it to be inserted into the ground to approximately theradius of the wheel. The cutting wheel mounts to a shaft that issupported by bearings on a single side of the wheel, and is rotationallydriven by a hydraulic motor. Additional structure mounted on the frameprovides depth control.

[0036] An object of the present invention is to provide a mountingarrangement for an excavating wheel that provides for simplifiedcomponents in order to reduce manufacturing complexity.

[0037] A further object of the present invention is to provide amounting arrangement for an excavating wheel that provides forsimplified assembly of the wheel to its support structure.

[0038] A still further object of the present invention is to provide amounting arrangement for an excavating wheel that provides forsimplified maintenance.

[0039] Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed descriptionof the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0040]FIG. 1 is a left side perspective view of a preferred embodimentof the excavating wheel attachment mounted onto a prime mover;

[0041]FIG. 2 is a left side perspective view of the same embodiment ofthe excavating wheel shown in FIG. 1 with some of the shielding removed;

[0042]FIG. 3 is a right side perspective view of the same embodiment ofthe excavating wheel shown in FIG. 1 with some of the shielding removed;

[0043]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the main frame assembly;

[0044]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the wheel support shaft assembly;

[0045]FIG. 6 is a perspective breakdown of the components of the wheelsupport shaft assembly;

[0046]FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the lift assembly;

[0047]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the stabilizer assembly;

[0048]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the excavating wheel assembly withportions thereof exploded away; and

[0049]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the motor mounting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0050] Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numeralsdesignate identical or similar parts throughout the views, FIG. 1 showsa prime mover 10 and a preferred embodiment of the excavating wheelattachment 100. The prime mover 10 typically comprises an engine anddrive line capable of propelling the assembly along the ground surfaceto transport between excavations and to propel the excavating wheelthrough the ground to extend the trench. The embodiment illustratedutilizes rubber tires for ground engagement. Tracks are also commonlyused for ground engagement. The prime mover also typically includes ahydraulic system that is capable of providing power to a motor on theexcavating wheel attachment 100 to rotate the wheel and of providingcontrolled pressure circuits to raise and position the excavating wheelattachment 100.

[0051] The excavating wheel attachment 100 typically attaches to theprime mover 10 at a mounting plate. Hydraulic lines transfer thehydraulic fluid from the circuits on the prime mover 10 to theappropriate components of the excavating wheel attachment 100.

[0052] Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, a preferred embodiment of theexcavating wheel attachment 100 is illustrated. The attachment iscomprised of a mounting plate 110, main frame assembly 130, liftassembly 170, stabilizer assembly 180, excavating wheel assembly 200 anddrive motor 240.

[0053] The mounting plate 110 (FIG. 2) includes a surface 112 that mateswith the prime mover. Fasteners 114 secure the attachment to the primemover 10. Main frame pivot supports 118 and lift cylinder pivot support120 are fixedly attached to the opposite side 116 of plate 110. Securingmeans cooperate with these pivot supports 118, in the preferredembodiment pivot pins 122 secure the main frame assembly 130 to themounting plate 110 and a pivot pin 124 secures a lift cylinder 172 tothe mounting plate 110.

[0054] Referring now to FIG. 4, the main frame assembly 130 isillustrated. The main frame assembly 130 is comprised of a main frame132 and a wheel support shaft assembly 150.

[0055] The main frame 132 includes a pivot axis 134 on a first distalend 136 defined in this embodiment by a through-hole 138. A wheel mountplate 142 is at the opposite end of the main frame 132. A stabilizersupport pivot 144 is defined in this embodiment by aligned holes instabilizer mounting tabs 140 and main structural member 141. The mainframe 132 further includes shielding structure 148 (shown in dashedlines in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4) which is adapted to cooperate with theexcavating wheel.

[0056] The wheel support shaft assembly 150 is secured to the wheelmount plate 142 of the main frame 132 by fasteners 146.

[0057] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, the wheel support shaft assembly150 is illustrated. This assembly is comprised of housing 152, wheelmount shaft 154, wheel bearing assemblies 156, dust seal 157, oil seal153, bearing clamp nut 159, and o-ring seal 158. Wheel mount shaft 154is supported by the two wheel bearing assemblies 156 while bearing clampnut 159 restrains those components in the housing 152. Mating surface162 of the housing 152 mates to the wheel mount plate 142 of the mainstructural member 140 shown in FIG. 4 and the two are connected withfasteners 146.

[0058] Referring now to FIG. 7, the lift assembly 170 is illustrated.This assembly is comprised of a lift cylinder 172, cylinder pin 124 andcylinder pin 174. The cylinder 172 is attached at a first end to themounting plate 110 at the lift cylinder pivot support 120 with cylinderpin 124 and at the opposite end to the main structural member 141 withcylinder pin 174 through an opening in member 141 a. Hydraulic hose 176is connected to the cylinder 172 and at the other end to a hydraulicsystem that is part of the prime mover 10.

[0059] Referring now to FIG. 8 the stabilizer assembly 180 isillustrated. This assembly is mounted onto the main frame 132 (FIG. 2)and is comprised of stabilizer arm mount pins 182, stabilizer arms 184,cylinders 186, stabilizer cylinder mount pins 188 and hydraulic hoses190. The stabilizer arms are secured to the main frame 132 by the mountpins 182 in a manner such that they can rotate between a loweredposition where the foot 194 (see FIGS. 2 and 8) will limit the depth ofpenetration of the excavating wheel to the minimum controlled depth andan upper position where the foot 194 will limit the depth of penetrationto the maximum controlled depth, which is slightly less than the radiusof the excavating wheel. Cylinders 186 are connected to mounting tabs140 on one end and to the stabilizer arms 184 on the other end with pins188. Extension or retraction of these cylinders controls the position ofthe stabilizer arms and thus the depth of the excavation. Hoses 190transfer hydraulic oil with controlled flow and pressure from the primemover 10.

[0060] Referring now to FIG. 9 the excavating wheel assembly 200 isillustrated. This assembly 200 is comprised of the wheel 210 and cutterassemblies 220. The cutter assemblies 220 consist of pockets 222 andteeth 224. The cutter assemblies 220 are secured to the wheel 210 withfasteners 226 that engage with the pattern of holes 216 in the wheel210. Assembly 200 is attached to hub 154 by fasteners 230 into threadedholes 164 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 9.

[0061] The wheel 210 includes an axis of rotation 212 that is defined bythe center of pilot hole 214. A pattern of holes 216 on the outercircumference of the wheel 210 needs to be concentric with the pilothole 214 for proper performance. A second pattern of holes 218 isarranged in a bolt pattern such that they are also concentric with thepilot hole 214 and designed to mate with the pattern of holes 164 in thewheel mount shaft 154 (FIG. 6). Fasteners 230 (FIG. 9) secure theexcavating wheel assembly 200 to the wheel mount shaft 154.

[0062] The wheel mount shaft 154 is supported in the housing 152 asshown in FIG.6. The wheel 210 is secured on one end as shown in FIG. 9.The opposite end of the wheel shaft 154 includes an internal splineconnection 155 shown in FIG. 10. As seen in FIG. 10 a drive motor 240includes an externally splined shaft 232 that engages with the internalspline 155 of the wheel mount shaft 154. The drive motor 240 is securedto the housing 152 by fasteners 234 thus engaging the mating splines andenabling the drive motor 240 to control rotation of the wheel assembly200.

[0063] Referring again to FIG. 2, the operation of the attachment isdescribed. Hydraulic fluid is provided to the drive motor 240 from theprime mover 10, typically with the main frame assembly 130 pivoted intoits raised position by lift assembly 170 (FIGS. 2 and 7). This willcause the wheel assembly 200 to rotate. As it is rotating, it is loweredinto engagement with the ground 12 which results in formation of thetrench. Wheel assembly 200 continues to progress into the ground 12until the shoe 194 of the stabilizer assembly 180 contacts the ground12, thus controlling the depth of the trench. The prime mover 10 is nowpropelled forward (to the left as shown in FIG. 2) thus moving theexcavating wheel attachment 100 parallel to the ground 12 extending thelength of the trench.

[0064] Advantages of this invention include the fact that the supportfor the excavating wheel assembly 200 comes solely from the wheelsupport shaft assembly 150, located on a single side of the wheel. Thewheel support shaft assembly 150 is of a size and shape that it can beeasily manufactured within close dimensional tolerances. Since thesupport is provided with this single component the main frame 132 isalso much easier to manufacture as there are no critical alignmentfeatures related to supports for the excavating wheel assembly on bothsides. An additional advantage is apparent when the excavating wheelassembly 200 is installed as it need to mate up to the wheel mount shaft154 only.

[0065] Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the preferred embodimentshown herein accomplishes all of the aforementioned objects. Obviouslymany modifications and variations of the present invention are possiblein view of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that,within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practicedotherwise than as specifically described.

I claim:
 1. An excavation apparatus for forming a trench including: aprime mover; and an excavation wheel attachment operatively attached tosaid prime mover, wherein said excavation wheel attachment comprises: asupport structure having a first end and a second end, said supportstructure being operably pivotally mounted on said one end thereof tosaid prime mover for movement between a lowered position and a raisedposition; a shaft operably rotatably attached to the other end of saidsupport structure; an excavation wheel assembly operatively attached tosaid shaft on one side of said support structure whereby said supportstructure provides the entire support of said excavation wheel assembly,said excavation wheel assembly including cutting teeth mounted on theouter circumference thereof for defining an effective cutting diameteradapted for cutting hard soils, wherein the effective cutting diameteris at least five times the diameter of the shaft mounting bearings andthe excavation wheel assembly; and a motor operatively attached to saidshaft of a size capable of rotating the shaft and excavation wheelassembly in an operative mode of between 40 and 200 revolutions perminute.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a pair of shaftmounting bearings operably disposed on said shaft for reducing frictionduring the rotation of said shaft with respect to said supportstructure.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a hydrauliccylinder operably pivotally attached to said prime mover and to saidsupport structure for moving the support structure between said loweredand raised positions thereof.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1 furthercomprising a ground engaging shoe operatively attached to said supportstructure for determining the lowered position of the excavation wheelassembly.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising an adjustingdevice for adjustably moving the position of said shoe with respect tosaid support structure.
 6. The apparatus of claim 4 further comprising ahydraulic cylinder operatively attached said support structure and saidshoe for adjustably moving the position of said shoe with respect tosaid support structure, whereby the distance that the excavation wheelassembly can extend into the ground can be adjustably predetermined. 7.A method for using an excavation apparatus for forming a trench, saidapparatus comprising: a prime mover; and an excavation wheel attachmentoperatively attached to said prime mover, wherein said excavation wheelattachment comprises: a support structure having a first end and asecond end, said support structure being operably pivotally mounted onsaid one end thereof to said prime mover for movement between a loweredposition and a raised position; a shaft operably rotatably attached tothe other end of said support structure; an excavation wheel assemblyoperatively attached to said shaft on one side of said support structurewhereby said support structure provides the entire support of saidexcavation wheel assembly, said excavation wheel assembly includingcutting teeth mounted on the outer circumference thereof for defining aneffective cutting diameter adapted for cutting hard soils, wherein theeffective cutting diameter is at least five times the diameter of theshaft mounting bearings and the excavation wheel assembly; said methodcomprising: rotating said excavation wheel assembly between 40 and 200revolutions per minute; and moving said support structure toward saidlowered position to cause said excavation wheel assembly to dig a trenchin the ground.
 8. A rockwheel drive, support and position controlstructure comprising: a rockwheel adapted with a mounting hub configuredto mount onto a flange on a single side; a rockwheel shaft supported ina cantilvered manner by at least two shaft mounting bearings including aflange on one side and a drive coupling on the opposite side; a drivingmotor which engages to the drive coupling of the rockwheel shaft; asingle support arm configured to support the shaft mounting bearings,and the driving motor on a first distal end, and main mounting bearingson a second distal end wherein the main mounting bearings allow thesupport arm to pivot between a first raised position and a secondlowered position; a support structure which provides support for themain mounting bearings; a single positioning cylinder which connects onone end to the support arm between the first and second distal ends andon the opposite end to the support structure wherein the cylinder iscapable of moving the rockwheel between the raised position and thelowered position; and a separate cutting depth control structureattached to the support arm which includes a ground engaging shoecapable of adjustably defining the lowered position such that it iscontrolled relative to the ground wherein the depth control structurecomprises two three-bar links, one positioned on each side of thesupport arm with a common axis of rotation that is located between thefirst and second end of the support arm.
 9. An excavation apparatus forforming a trench including: a prime mover; and an excavation wheelattachment operatively attached to said prime mover, wherein saidexcavation wheel attachment comprises: a support structure mounted on apivot in a manner to be moved between a lowered position and a raisedposition; a shaft supported by the support structure in a cantileveredmanner by at least two shaft mounting bearings; and an excavation wheelassembly including cutting teeth mounted on its outer circumferencedefining an effective cutting diameter adapted for cutting hard soilswherein the effective cutting diameter is at least five times thediameter of the shaft mounting bearings and is disposed for rotation atbetween 40 and 200 revolutions per minute.